Know-It-All Bowlers

Remember the last time you bought your car and you drove off the dealer's lot and it seemed as though every other car you drove by on the road was the exact, same model you picked out? Where did they come from "all of a sudden?" It's funny how our mind works.

An acquaintance told me several weeks ago that he would enjoy his bowling more if people would stop giving him advice about how to improve his game. I stood there and listened as he elaborated on how he was satisfied with his game and how he had no aspirations of becoming a 170-average bowler, much less a 200+ one. He only wanted to do a bit of physical activity and socialize with friends. Invariably, however, more and more guys were telling him how to improve his game, which is spoiling his fun. He is too nice a guy to tell them he's not interested in their suggestions.

Since then, I've noticed that there are an over abundance of people who know "everything there is to know" about bowling and they don't hesitate to give you advice about your game - whether or not you ask them. I never give unsolicited advice even though I am a USBC-certified coach. When anyone gives me advice, I have learned to let it go "in one ear and out the other." That's probably why I never paid attention to all this kibitzing going on around me.

My "Choc-List" for those unwanted "Bowling Advice GiverS" (BAGS) is to please:

1) Ask the person if they want the advice before you dispense the "learn-to-bowl" tips, this, of course, would be the respectful thing to do.

2) Do not assume that you are the solution to every person's bowling "problems," you may, in fact, be the problem.

3) Don't think that every bowler throws the ball the same as you do nor do they want to become as intense about the sport as you are. You are unique, just the same as we are.

4) Enjoy your time out with other folks in the same manner as we let you enjoy your time out with us.

With all the rhetoric about the loss of participation in our sport of bowling, I'm surprised that no one ever thought to look into the aspect of "know-it-all-bowlers" spoiling the sport for the "bowlers-who-don't-want-to-know-it-all."

A Hui Hou! (See You Again!)